(Karson Jenkins from last year)

 

Indiana Basketball Source didn't give you a Week In Preview article last week due to the impending winter storm that ended up canceling most of the games in the state from Wednesday through Friday. So to make it up to you, we're going to give you 15 games this week. We're covering all four classes as we hit the final three weeks of the regular season.

 

Tuesday, February 8th

Brownsburg at Pike 7:30 pm

The Bulldogs have a talented wing pair in junior Elhadj Diallo and sophomore Kanon Catchings. UIndy signee Shun Tupoula mans the interior, while a talented sophomore class supports Steve Lynch's squad. Pike has split their six games and is led by senior guard Ryan Conwell. Junior point guard Devon Woods is quietly having a great campaign at the helm of the Red Devil offense.

 

Fishers at Anderson 7:30 pm

The Indians and their star guard duo of Ty Wills and Ahmere Carson can certainly put up points from deep. The pair led Anderson to wins in nine of their last ten games by shooting nearly 50% from three. However, they'll need their 35 PPG and then some when they face a talented Fishers team led by Jeff Simmons. The senior forward is one of the best inside-outside threats in the state. Classmate Charlie Smith is a steady guard presence. We can't forget about freshman sensation Jalen Haralson, averaging nearly 17 points a night in his initial campaign for the 15-2 Tigers.

 

Snider at Blackhawk Christian 7:30 pm

Snider is looking to rebound from a loss last Saturday to Bishop Dwenger in which star senior Karson Jenkins was unavailable. Jenkins and his 25 points per game would be a big boost when they face off against neighborhood rival Blackhawk Christian Tuesday night. Three-year starter Jake Boyer leads the Braves in the interior and breakout junior wing Gage Sefton. Sefton was the 6th man for last year's 2A state champs, and he's stepped quickly into the leading role for the 15-2 Braves, who are coming off a come-from-behind win at Tindley over the weekend.

 

Michigan City at Chesterton 8:00 pm

The DAC race runs through cheesetown, and Michigan City comes in looking to spoil the Trojans' undefeated season. High scoring Jamie Hodges brings the Wolves down the shore of Lake Michigan to face off against another undersized point guard in Travis Grayson. The pair lead their respective teams in scoring and assists. Sophomores Tyler Parrish and Justin Sims provide support for Chesterton.

 

Friday, February 11th

Ben Davis at Lawrence North 7:30 pm

Ben Davis needs to win to have any chance of claiming at least a share of the MIC crown. Sophomore guard KJ Windham and junior forward Zane Doughty give the Giants a young inside-outside combo that can cause opponents dilemmas. They've rebounded from losing three of four to win their last two games against Attucks and Avon. Lawrence North needed a buzzer-beating triple from IU-bound CJ Gunn to beat Connersville at home last weekend. Jack Keefer's squad will be looking for revenge after falling to Ben Davis in the Marion County tournament by 29 last month.

 

Bloomington North at Terre Haute North 7:30 pm

One of the surprise teams in the state is the 17-2 Patriots of Terre Haute North. They're led by 6'5 senior wing Mark Hankins, who averages 12 points per game. He's the only Patriot in double figures for the defensive-minded North squad. They give up just over 40 points a night and have held opponents to 53 points or fewer in all 17 wins. Bloomington North looks to strengthen their grip on the Conference Indiana lead. The Cougars are on a six-game winning streak, and many came without leading scorer Nick Klaiber. The 6' senior guard is back after missing a month, and he made his return with a 22 point performance in their last game, a 23 point win over Columbus East.

 

Brebeuf at Mt. Vernon 7:30 pm

Mt. Vernon is living dangerously over their eight-game winning streak, with six coming by single digits, including three one-point wins. But they count all the same, as the Marauders are 14-2 thanks to the IUPUI-bound Jarrard twins. They welcome one of 3A's top teams in Brebeuf to Fortville on Friday night. The Braves are led by Miami (Ohio) signee Billy Smith. The 6'6 senior wing is one of the state's top shooters, but he has diversified his game for his final season, and the results are paying off as he's averaging just under 20 points a game.

 

Castle at Jasper 8:00 pm

No Isaiah Swope, no problem for the Castle Knights. Enter junior guard Weston Aigner, who is averaging 19 and seven boards. Stat sheet stuffer Caleb Niehaus does a little bit of everything for Castle, who are looking to keep pace with Reitz in the SIAC standings. Jasper has two conference losses, but they can still play spoiler. Junior guard Carter Mundy leads a veteran Wildcat squad who sit with a 14-3 record on the season.

 

Crown Point at Valpo 8:00 pm

Clint Swan has his usual squad of shooters in Crown Point, led by Drew Adiza and AJ Lux. The Bulldogs have won six of seven and can move into second place in the Duneland with a win over Valpo on the road Friday. The host Vikings are led by 6'6 junior Mason Jones, who can do damage anywhere on the court. Senior guards Blaine Dalton and Breece Walls are steady hands in the backcourt for Valpo, who is looking to stay at the top of the league race with Chesterton.

 

Homestead at Concordia 7:30 pm

The SAC title is on the line Friday night on the banks of the St. Joseph River as Homestead travels to face Concordia. Both teams are tied at the top of that league at 5-1, so the winner of this matchup will clinch at least a share of the title. Homestead has been led all year by Mr. Basketball frontrunner Fletcher Loyer, but he'll need some help from the brothers Leeper inside. Concordia might have arrived a year early, as there are no seniors on the Cadet roster. Instead, sophomore point guard Ajani Washington is the straw that stirs the drink, and he's flanked by junior sniper David Speckhard and a frontcourt tandem of brothers in Grant and Cole Hayworth.

 

Tech at Lafayette Jeff 7:30 pm

The state's #2 scoring offense heads up I-65 for an NCC showdown Friday as Tech faces off against Bronchos of Lafayette Jeff. Reggie Bass, Rasheed Jones, and company average over 76 points a night. They match strategy with the conference's best defense, as Jeff allows just under 48 points per game. Senior wing Javon Buchanan is the unquestioned leader, as he paces the Bronchos in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This is a game for the vets, as the top eight Jeff scorers and the top seven scorers for Tech are seniors.

 

North Judson at Caston 8:00 pm

The Comets are flying high on a nine-game winning streak heading into the week. First place in the Hoosier North Conference is on the line Friday as Carl Davis's squad welcomes the Bluejays of North Judson to rural Fulton. Senior guards Joey Spin and Kade Zeider are deadeyes from deep, with 47% shooting from deep. They're the only double-digit scorers for a team that has only allowed one opponent on their nine-game streak to top 45 points. The Bluejays have lost their last two but hope the veteran leadership of Blayne Wilcox and Payton Cox will steady them in a significant conference road tilt.

 

Norwell at Huntington North 7:30 pm

Norwell still has a chance to claim a share of the NE8 crown, but they'll need to take care of business on the road against an always physical Huntington North team. Luke McBride leads the Knights from his backcourt spot, and he's been the catalyst behind a seven-game winning streak, along with Ashton Federspiel and Luke Graft on the interior. Norwell doesn't have a senior on their roster, while Huntington North has their top five scorers all getting ready for graduation. Zach Hubartt scores just under 17 a game for the Vikings, who have won eight of their last nine and are comfortable playing a low-scoring game or getting out and running.

 

Wapahani at Monroe Central 7:30 pm

Another conference title is on the line, this time in the Mid-Eastern Conference as Wapahani meets the undefeated Golden Bears of Monroe Central. These neighbors both sport unblemished records in the conference but have done it differently. Monroe Central gives up just 39 points per game on the year, while Wapahani has the best offense in the MEC at 69 points a night. It should be an excellent backcourt battle between Aidan Franks and Isaac Andrews for the Raiders and brothers Josiah and Jackson Ullom for the Bears.

 

Saturday, February 12th

New Castle at Eastern Hancock 7:30 pm

The Royals have rebounded from a rough stretch in the middle of January by winning their last four outings behind one of the best shooters in the state in senior guard Landon O'Neal. He's averaging 16 a night on sizzling 47% shooting from deep, and the Spaulding twins give quickness and playmaking from the backcourt spots. New Castle will look to take advantage of their superior size with 6'5 junior Gavin Welch and 6'4 senior Dawson Scott. The Trojans might be knocking off a little rust, as they haven't played a 55-54 overtime loss to Wapahani on January 22nd.